NAU’s Top Research Rankings Benefiting Flagstaff and Region

I’m so proud to share that for the first time, Northern Arizona University is recognized as one of the top 100 research universities without a medical school by the National Science Foundation. NAU also moved to 201 for all universities in the United States, up from 213 in 2017.

Flagstaff and Northern Arizona, as well as our undergraduate and graduate students, are experiencing the benefits of NAU’s advanced national ranking as a top research university as measured by the National Science Foundation’s Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey.

Our research programs connect to Flagstaff and Northern Arizona employers and solutions, and their success directly translates to opportunities for our community. TGen North is just one clear example of this success.

Research at NAU contributed to the overall $2.5 billion economic impact generated by NAU as well as provides critical answers to state-wide and community issues such as forest health, water quality and supply, health solutions and access to care, education best practices and astronomy.

The ranking reflects the achievements of NAU’s world-class faculty, dedicated research and support staff, talented graduate and undergraduate students, and our goal of continued research and innovation in partnership with education and workforce development as a strong central contributor to NAU’s ongoing success.

Under the leadership of Wally Covington, Ph.D., and the commitment of the team at the Ecological Restoration Institute, NAU has enhanced understanding of forest management, environmental conservation, and steps we can take to protect our forests and prevent wildfires.

Dr. Han-Sup Han joined our team as director of Forest Operations and Biomass Utilization that will establish research, development and applications in Northern Arizona.

The National Institutes of Health awarded a $21.4 million grant to NAU’s Southwest Health Equity Research Collaborative. This investment will expand our capacity for biomedical, clinical and behavioral research. Dr. Julie Baldwin, and the incredible team of faculty researchers’ work is impacting many lives in our state.

On the strength of a 14.5 percent increase in reportable research expenditures in 2018 over 2017, NAU anticipates another step up in NSF’s ranking next year, amid significant competition from NSF survey peer institutions.

Congratulations and thanks are shared broadly as this impressive research recognition is a direct result of the efforts of so many individuals within our campus community, and many throughout Northern Arizona. FBN

Traveling almost 8,000 miles to fill his new position as food and beverage director for Xanterra at the Grand Canyon South Rim Lodges was an “easy” decision, says Todd Rodemyer, who left Kabul, Afghanistan, for the Grand Canyon. “It was the best move I’ve made yet. I really like it here.” While in Kabul, Rodemyer worked as a government contractor for the U.S. Embassy, managing the food service for the entire state department operation, which includes six dining facilities and catering from the ground up. “It was an amazing experience and I had a great relationship with the ambassador and state department commanders.” Although he was in a war zone, he says he always felt safe at the compound in Kabul, because it was guarded by Gurkha Guard Force. “They are some of the greatest and most dedicated soldiers I’ve ever been around.” He adds that it was intense at times.

Having lived in Flagstaff for more than 40 years, I know there are some things you can count on as spring comes to the high country: wind, weather that changes in the blink of an eye, the return of the elk and deer along the highways and freezing at Little League games (did I mention the wind?